Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“When I think of what could have happened…” she said. “I would never have forgiven myself if you had died, Cherry.”
“Well, Dom got me out,” I soothed.
“Thank God for that man.”
I glanced over at him. He was beside me, his hand on my leg, but he was watching the news on the TV, content to be close. We both needed that right now.
“Yes,” I agreed. “Thank God for that.”
“I’ll be in touch soon,” Connie promised. “Be sure to file a claim with your insurance and get me the information.”
“I will.”
I sighed as I hung up the phone. “At least my car and tenant insurance are through the same company and a broker I’ve used for years,” I said. “I know them, and they know me.” I had already called my broker, and he was coming to see me and would visit the apartment site to take pictures. “I didn’t have a large value for the contents since it was furnished. And what was destroyed can’t be replaced,” I added sadly.
Dom squeezed my leg. “Still, the claim can be filed, and you can use the money to purchase what you need. Once you find a new place.” He was quiet for a moment. “Maybe this is a good time to think of relocating.”
I tilted my head, studying him.
“You don’t want to do hairdressing anymore. Your apartment is gone. Hannah is here.” He swallowed. “So am I. Maybe you should look here.”
“And do what?” I asked.
He shrugged. “You said you had experience with other things. Explore the options.” He scratched the back of his neck, looking nervous. “You can stay here as long as you want. We could look for a place together.”
“You want to live together?” I asked. “It’s only been—”
He cut me off with a shake of his head. “I don’t care if it’s only been a day, Cherry G. You’re it for me. I have never loved someone the way I love you. We can live together if you want that. I do. And you can take your time and find a job.”
I blinked at him. He sounded so certain.
“We can look for a place together. I wanted to buy a house, so you can help me pick it. Let it be a place you love and make it our home. We can fill it with memories together. I’ve never had that, but I want it. I want it all with you.”
Our eyes locked, and I saw it. His conviction to us, to this relationship, was clear and solid. That was what he wanted. Me. Here. With him.
“I-I have to think about it.”
There was a knock on the door, and he stood, bending over me. He dropped a kiss to my mouth with a smile. “Of course you do, Cherry G. You have to think and overanalyze and worry. Wonder if you should do something that puts you first. That makes you happy. The answer to that is yes. But you do what you have to, then we’ll move ahead. I’ll wait.” He headed to the door. “In the meantime, I’ll get more places to look at.”
He left me on the sofa, my mind spinning.
Everything rational and responsible told me his idea was crazy. We hadn’t known each other long enough. We needed more time.
The smaller part of my brain was jumping up and down like a schoolgirl. Live with Dom. Be close to Hannah. Build a life with him. We were older, so why waste time if it felt right?
And dammit, as much as I tried to fight it, as much as I resisted, Dom Salvatore felt all sorts of right to me.
Did I dare do this?
Hannah, Chase, Maxx, and Charly came in, and I put aside my thoughts.
But that schoolgirl kept jumping.
And from the grin on Dom’s face when he looked at me, he knew it.
DOM
Cherry’s gaze followed me all evening. Despite the full refrigerator, the kids had brought pizza, and we sat around, casual and comfortable, eating and laughing. But whenever I looked at Cherry, her eyes were already on me.
I knew what she was doing. Overthinking. I understood it was part of her nature. No doubt a learned habit since after her husband died, she’d had only herself to rely on, so she was careful with decisions.
I wanted her to go with her heart on this one.
In the kitchen, I stacked the dishwasher, looking up when Hannah came in, carrying some glasses. I added them to the rack, shutting the door and wiping my hands.
“What’s up?” I asked, knowing she’d come in for more than assisting with cleanup.
“Mom told me what you suggested. About her moving here. Moving in with you.”
I crossed my arms, leaning against the counter. “You have issues with that?”
“No. I think you’re good for her.”
“I sense a but.”
“It’s fast.”
I chuckled. “Hannah, may I remind you that you and Chase went from roommates to lovers in a matter of weeks? It’s the same amount of time your mom and I have been seeing each other. And frankly, at my age, I’m not the most patient of men anymore. I know what I want, and I don’t want to waste months dancing around the issue.” I met her gaze. “I love your mother. I want to build a life with her, and I think, despite her worries, she wants the same. I want to make her happy. She deserves that, yes?”